Huawei, leading global information and communications technology solution provider, recently launched company’s new initiative, Tech4ALL in Sri Lanka, to promote the digital inclusion for both individuals and small businesses by focusing efforts on connectivity, applications and skills. TECH4ALL is Huawei’s long-term, digital inclusion initiative for using technology, applications and skills to empower people and organizations everywhere.

“Technology is changing the world so fast. But how can we make sure that all people and all organizations can benefit from this change? Therefore it is vital that governments, industry organizations and business partners to act together to promote digital inclusion for all” Indika De Zoysa, Vice President of Huawei Enterprise Business in Sri Lanka explained further elaborating on the Initiative.

“We call it Tech4ALL and focuses on the three priorities: Connectivity, Applications, and Skills” he said adding that in terms of connectivity Huawei will continue to lower the barriers in terms of cost and coverage through technological innovation, and in terms of applications Huawei will empower the ecosystem, and help developers to create more applications for different communities and industries. Further in terms of skills Huawei will work with governments, local communities, and other industries to enhance awareness of digital skills and provide necessary help.

TECH4ALL believes that for the world to grow, develop, and transform, everyone is entitled to four basic rights.

Education – to make learning more accessible and effective for the disadvantaged — particularly underprivileged children and people living in remote areas — while delivering fundamental ICT skills to potential talents, Environment – to use technologies to conserve nature and mitigate the effects of climate change in ways that help protect our planet more efficiently and effectively. Third is the Health – to provide fast and easy access to essential healthcare services, enabling effective early detection of diseases, while also providing medical research support for health professionals. The last right is Development – to eliminate economic development gaps by encouraging entrepreneurship and helping create jobs through equal access to digital resources.

According to Indika de Zoysa, Vice President Huawei Enterprise Business Group in Sri Lanka, Huawei is committed to work towards Digital Inclusion based priorities of TECH4ALL, as in terms of connectivity, Huawei will support partners to achieve island wide Wireless Coverage through innovative and cost effective solutions such as RuralStar.

The RuralStar solution is all about change. This solution transforms microwave or satellite transmission in traditional rural network solutions into Relay Remote Node (RRN) wireless backhaul, towers into simple poles, and diesel generators into clean, green solar energy, reducing the cost by more than 50%.

In terms of applications Huawei will also work on improving Digital Health and Smart Education initiatives in Sri Lanka.

“Further in terms of skills Huawei will soon open up a joint Innovation Lab with the University of Moratuwa and Colombo, apart from continuing with industry training of partners and Seeds for the Future program, that Huawei launched in 2016 and so far has continued for four years and we will continue to help bring in technology transfer to future generation of Sri Lanka through this initiative” Indika De Zoysa added.

TECH4ALL is an initiative that ensures technology for all segments closer and accessible. With TECH4ALL initiative Huawei will work with local governments, communities and other sectors to develop the digital skills of the whole community. This initiative aims to help 500 million additional people around the world benefit directly from digital technology in the next five years. The world is increasingly driven by digital technologies and Huawei believes that no one should be left behind. TECH4ALL centers on developing digital inclusion and empowerment initiatives with measureable outcomes. One of its many purposes is to help accelerate the UN’s SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). According to GSMA, more than 1 billion people are not covered by mobile broadband services. And 3.8 billion people are still offline. That’s half of the world’s population. This means connectivity is still the bedrock of digital inclusion, and Huawei is working hard to fill this gap through innovation. Huawei believes that technology is good, and it should be used for good, and to promote full digital inclusion, they have put together TECH4ALL as an action plan.